Seven communities coming together to fight cancer

On Wednesday, March 19, seven mayors united in hopes of jump-starting a movement and making people more aware than ever of a deadly disease called cancer. The mayors included: Thomas Andes, Denville; James Dodd, Dover; and Deputy Mayor Peter Holmberg, Mountain Lakes; James Barberio, Parsippany, Russell Greuter, Rockaway Borough; Michael Dachisen, Rockaway Township; and James Loveys, Randolph.

"It was something to get all these mayors in one place at the same time," Mayor Andes said. "It is a wonderful thing. It shows how important it is that we show our support."

In awareness of the disease, six of these towns have presented or will present in the near future a proclamation to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Central Morris County, declaring May 31 to June 1, as the day that will be dedicated to the disease.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is an event that was started in May, 1985, by Dr. Gordy Klatt, of Tacoma, Washington, a colorectal surgeon. With the support of almost 300 family members, friends and patients, Dr. Gordy ran for more than 83 miles around the track at the University of Puget Sound. During his run, supporters donated $25 for each half hour spent walking or running beside him raising $27,000 in an effort to fight cancer.

As progress would continue Dr. Klatt carried on his mission by creating a 24-hour relay event named the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run against Cancer, and in 1986 the first team relay event took place at the Stadium Bowl and raised another $33,000.

Today, the event still follows in the steps that Dr. Klatt created.

The event runs for 24-hours, and begins with the Survivors Lap, in which survivors are asked to circle the track together. After dark, the luminaria ceremony begins, with a candle placed inside bags of sand that has the name of a person lost to the disease, and then the event closes with the Fight Back Ceremony, at which each person is asked to make some kind of personal commitment to help save someone's life.

Bonnie Rosenthal, chair of the Relay for Life of Central Morris County, knows all too well how devastating this disease can be. She began her quest to show support of the disease by attending her first Relay for Life in 2008 for a family friend's son who had cancer. In the fall of 2009, her grandmother, Carolyn, was affected by the disease, and another family friend was battling a brain tumor. She lost both her maternal grandfather and maternal grandmother to the disease, as well as several other friends and family members.

As well as being chair for the Relay for Life of Central Morris County, she also performs community outreach, leads committee meetings, and shares co-team responsibilities with her mother, Sue Rosenthal. Bonnie's father, Meyer Rosenthal, also shows his support at events.

"Being part of this organization has helped me to honor survivors. It has also helped me know that when a friend or loved one has passed from this disease, I know that I am doing something to combat the disease verses complaining and sitting idly by." Bonnie said. "It has allowed me to give back within the community. And I have learned many things from many people through my work with this organization."

Others in attendance at Wednesday's gathering included Alex Baron, senior manager of Relay for Life of North West, New Jersey. His fight with the disease began just over 13 years ago when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After diagnosis he became involved with Relay for Life.

"Relay for Life is my way of fighting back and making a difference." Baron said. "Using the information is your main weapon against the disease."

This year's event will begin on Saturday, May 31, and continue through Sunday, June 1, at Smith Field on Route 46 and Baldwin Road in Parsippany.

You can read more about this event at relayforlife.org/centralmorriscountynj or visit the Facebook page at facebook.com/RelayforLifeofCentralMorrisCounty.

Some other programs that the American Cancer Society provides to those dealing with the disease and their family members include: The Look Good Feel Good Program in which the patients receive help with their appearance; the Reach to Recovery Group available for breast cancer survivors; the Road to Recovery Program which provides free transportation to and from treatments; the availability of hair loss and mastectomy products; access to a 24/7, 365-days-per-year information line; a Patient Navigator Program that connects the patient to a navigator at a treatment center; online communities and support; free patient lodging programs enabling a patient to stay free of charge; and several other programs.